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THE FOLLOWING is a letter from
Joseph Diaz of the Sanderson Field RC
Flyers in Shelton, Washington. It is a letter
of congratulations to his club. It sounds to
me that this club put on a well-organized,
well-staffed, and well-attended event.
“Wow! Very impressive. If there ever
was a time for our club to step up and
perform, it was Friday, September 26, and
perform we did.
“On that Friday, Pioneer School held its
annual Career Day. The school contacted
the Port of Shelton last spring and asked if
it would participate. The Port officials
agreed and stated that they would contact
the local businesses and get more people
involved. The club was asked if it would
participate and the club members
generously agreed. What better way to
display our involvement in the community?
“With a little planning and a couple of
telephone calls, I had a ton of help lined up,
which was really nice since the
demonstration was going to involve 100
seventh-grade students and teachers, and
Joetta Anderson, Port Secretary, and Henry
Trussler, Port Commissioner.
“Anytime this club puts on an event
there is always help, but this time the club
went all out. The people who agreed to lend
a hand were there to make a difference and
no matter what I requested, the people
quickly made it happen. I got to the field at
8:15 and members already had the
airplanes out and were helping out while
the Port was putting out a table for the
demonstration.
“Together we quickly and proficiently
set up our tent. (By the way, if we could
just fit that tent into a little car and wear
big red shoes and colorful clothes, people
would pay to watch us set it up!) We
prepared our gear and waited for the first
bus.
“The bus showed up shortly after 9 a.m.
and Jo and Henry were the first to greet
them. They gave a small introduction about
the history and future of the Port and the
types of careers that were based there, and
then they turned it over to us.
“I welcomed everyone and talked about
the club and briefly how some of the skills
acquired in RC flight could be used in an
occupation. Then I turned it over to Dick
Robb who related his 50 years of modelaviation
experience to his job as an A&P
mechanic.
“Then Brian Richmond spoke to the
kids and related his RC experiences and
how they influenced him to become an
airline pilot. The kids really enjoyed it.
“When Brian was done talking he
prepared his airplane for a demonstration
while I went over the safety rules and
explained what they were about to see. I
explained that Brian would fly his airplane
much in the manner he would fly his 737.
“I assure you there was no boredom
when Brian did a snap role on takeoff
roughly 30 feet off the deck. He had them
mesmerized from that point on. It was one
amazing performance.
“Following Brian’s flight
demonstration, we had the kids line up in
five groups and moved them to prearranged
flight stations where they were able to get
some air time themselves.
“Bob Andrew and John Tupper were on
the first flight station. They were amazing
with the kids. Chuck Kentfield and Daryl
Casad were on the second flight station and
they, too, were having a good time until the
last flight of the day.
“Out of nowhere the tail parted ways
with the fuselage, and of course it had to be
a borrowed airplane. Our deepest apologies
to Paul Slover; we’ll make it right.
“Bob Beatty and Joe Lewis were on the
third flight station, and Bob did a good job.
He flew the trainer and Joe was the spotter
and kid handler. I have to give Bob a lot of
credit because it was his first time putting
people up, and he handled it like an old
pro. You’d have thought he had been
training people all along.
“Dick Robb and Brent Hymas were on
the fourth flight station and they looked
right at home. I think they could have done
100 more kids themselves. My daughter
Amanda and I were on the fifth flight
station. Amanda kept the line straight and
coached each kid on what to do. It was a lot
of fun only I didn’t see one face the whole
time we were flying.
“The flying itself probably wouldn’t be
described as precision or formation; it
actually looked more like five mad hornets.
However, Dick and Bob took the
opportunity to show off their years of
flying together by flying precision passes
and last minute pull-ups just inches or
maybe feet from each other. I’m sure it was
all planned; you know some people just
gotta show off!
“After the kids were done flying they
had a chance to look at the static display
where Lonnie Stuck was fielding questions.
Then it was off to the snack table for
cookies and punch that was provided by the
Port and given out by Bob and Georgina
Mason. Meanwhile Sharon Diaz and Brian
were handing out glider airplanes and
schmoozing with the Port people.
“The second bus was the same program
as the first and it all went off without a
hitch. The kids had fun, the Port was
impressed, and we might even end up with
a new member or two.
“This event turned out much better than
I could ever imagine and I want to give a
special thank you to the following people:
Bob Andrew, Bob Beatty, Daryl Casad,
Amanda Diaz, Sharon Diaz, Brent Hymas,
Chuck Kentfield, Joe Lewis, Bob Mason,
Georgina Mason, Brian Richmond, Dick
Robb, Lonnie Stuck, and John Tupper.
“These are the people who really made
the club look good.”
Focus on Education
Jack Frost
AMA Education
Coordinator
Tel.: (765) 287-1256
Ext. 274
[email protected]
04july.qxd 4/22/04 1:45 pm Page 158
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 158